Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1887-01-10
NAX'S MELANCE.
A Street Wanderers Comments and 0pin-
ions on Subjects Of Local
Importance,
some Incidental Remarks About the Fire
Depsrtment-''Ermin and sunday
Night Concert-A Remarkable Case
of Prayer Cure-Poiice Judge Bill.
From SnndRy,s EdItion.

FROM sundays hulIl"u-
The great Ohio Southern shop fire made
patent 10 every observer one thing in par
ticulsr: that while Springfeld's fire de
partment is one of the most efficient, when
its size is considered, in the country, it is
not large enough. Ii lire should break
out in the central part of the city and get
anything like the start which that fire had
yesterday, the department would practically
be powerlesS TO check the flames. The city
council has been urged to increase the mum
Der Of men in the department and, also, to
increase the facilities for the eXtnguish
ment of fire, but the members urge that the
city is too poor and that the present de-
partment has been well able to control all
the fires Springfield has had in the past.
and why should il not be able Ia do equally
good service in the future. That ar
gument is good only 81 the eX-
tent that the department has been able
successfully to cope with fires that
have been visited upon the city in the past
Ii is necessary In a city aS large aS Spring
tield-in a city where there ART so many inn
pOrtant interests At stake as there are here
to have a flre department that will be pre-
pared for any emergency-One that can cope
successfully with any fire that is likely 10
break out. In the organization Of fire
department city Is forced to
deal in futures 81 10 speak.
II has 10 do precisely what a
government does when il organizes stand
ing arIny-prepare for wal in time Of peace.
A government has no earthly use for thOuS-
ands of troops when peace reignS but when
peace is broken the soldiers are needed and
needed quickly. So il is with fire depart
ment. Many days in the Year there is moth
ing for the men to do except to perform the
routine of duty about the houses. but when
a ire breaks ont they are wanted, and
wanted iu the worst way. If
Il may be- allowed to carry
the simile little farther, ii is
of much more Importance that city should
have a large and well-trained fire depart
ment than that a government have large
and thoroughly disciplined army. for in the
event of war volunteers can be called upon
and by the time active operations are be-
gun they can be admirably disciplined;
but fire department must be ready at an
instant's notice 10 do Skillful work.
If an extensive conhagration should get
under way in Springfield, the city would,
between the inadequate water supply and
the insufficient force of the fire department,
be completely at the mercy of the flames,
| and we should then he compelled to wit
ness the spectacle of Springfield calling
mon Xenia, Urbana and Dayton for aid.
| Think OF it
Springfield needs more tiremen, as brave
| and efficient a. those she already has. In
! e
! pare at all favoratly with the forces in
| Dayton. Columbus, Akron, and cities of
! like size In the last named city, which is
smaller than Springfield. the fire department
numbers over sixty regulars. besides min
ute men-nearly twice aS many as there
are IN the Springfield department. While
! it is. of course. commendable in the city
! council that II exercises caution in the eN-
penditure of the peoples money. yet, so far
| as have been able to ascertain. the opin-
! ion that the fire department ought to be in
creased. both by men and by facilities. is
! very general.
Colonel Sam Waidman, manager of
! Blacks opera house, was a much pleased
with the magnificent production of the
opera of "Erminie" by the New York
! Casino company as was the genera!
Public. and ever since the company ap-
peared here he has been endeavoring 10 Sc
cure another date from the manager. After
reHeated efforts. and by offering almost uu-
4 precedented inducements, return date for
| the latter part of February has been So
cured. and the music lovers of Springfield
will have another opportunity OF hearing
| ''Erminie" rendered with all the beauty and
/ brilIiancy which characterized its first rem
| dition here "Erminie" Is one of the best
of recent light operas. and the New York
/ Casino company is one of the most power
/ full Of travelling opera companies. Some
. of the most beautiful stage settings ever
seen in Springfield are used in the
production of the opera and there is moth
ing about it to mar its beauty and artistic
completeness. Those who heard the opera
will rejoice to hear that it is again to bt
given here and Colonel Waldmsn may be
sure of a crowded house.
Apropos of opera companies. the Bennett
Il MoultOn troupe is 10 be al Blacks for a
week. beginning on date in the latter
part of the present month. Col. Waldmar
is revolving in his mind the idea of having
the company, after presenting full week
of the latest comic operas, give grand
sacred concert on Sunday night. He in
.
dered by the sOiOiStS and full chorus anC
orchestra shall be tirSt-claSs in every re
Spect and of such a character that nobody car
object to ii. Now. if the colOne
will offer 10 donate the ne
proceeds TO the hospital O'
to the associated charities he will be very
apt To have a packed house should he con
cluds TO give the concert
A case of yeritable prayer cure" tn,
facts OF which, although not so Iurid a,
those concerning the historic stone man OF
Lima, challenge the attention Of the mos
! thoughtful persons, comes from New Car
/ Isle. The story, which is altogether re
markable, was told me by a prOminea
gentleman of this city on Saturday after
noon. aud the social prominence of all the
parties concerned in the matter places the
| truth of the facts related beyond a question.
! Miss Millie Neff is a niece of DR.. Neff. a
prominent resident of New Carlisle and q
member of the drug firm Of Miller & Neff
| Miss Neff is true lady and a consistent
! Christian-a member of the N. Z. church.
| Eleven months ago she was seized
with an illness that caused her to
! lose her powers of speech and
| for eleven long months she has been unable
| Ia speak above a faint whisper. During
| her long atfliction she has borne up bravely
and although the loss of her power OF
speech was exceedingly inconvenient and a
very grave trial to her. yet she has never
even for one instant wavercd In her Chris
| tian faith.
Last Sunday it was suggested by one of
Miss Neff's friends, who is also member